Locked Down: Economic and Health Effects of COVID-19 Response on Residents of a South African Township

Abstract

Background Little research has examined how pandemics affect residents in under-resourced communities. This study investigated how COVID-19 and lockdown policies affected residents of Alexandra, one of Johannesburg, South Africa’s lowest-income townships. Methods We conducted a telephone survey May 11–22, 2020, while the lockdown and alcohol ban were in effect, of a spatially stratified sample of 353 adult Alexandra residents drawn randomly from voter registration, credit card application, and prior studies’ sampling frames. We examined economic consequences; health experiences, including COVID-19 exposure and mental health symptoms; alcohol use; and personal experiences with violence. Results Respondents were aged 18 to 89 and 47% female. About 70% of those employed before the lockdown were no longer working. Over half of households lost at least one source of income. About 50% of respondents reported stockpiling food. A majority reported price rises and declines in availability of food. Smaller percentages reported such changes for other items. Over 80% reported stress or anxiety, or depression due to the pandemic. The prevalence of past-week alcohol use fell from over 50% before the lockdown to less than 10% during the lockdown. Self-reported physical violence victimization increased. Discussion COVID-19 and the lockdown disrupted Alexandra residents’ lives through unemployment, lost income, mental health problems, and increased violence. The differences between these outcomes and those in more advantaged communities deserve investigation. Research should also seek to identify tailored responses to effectively address the challenges of marginalized communities that often have limited resources to deal with pandemics and policies to contain them.

Health care support systems for informal settlement rental housing during the COVID-19 season: landlord’s perspective

“…According to Borofsky and Gu ¨nther (2022), pedestrian activity decreased by 48% and 61% in shared courtyards in urban areas in South Africa. Fisher et al (2022) found that formal settlements recorded loss of incomes, decline in food availability, decline alcohol use and increase in depression. This evidence highlights the neglect of informal settlements in fighting COVID-19 and, thus, the interconnected nature of governance, health and equity.…”

“…According to Borofsky and Günther (2022), pedestrian activity decreased by 48% and 61% in shared courtyards in urban areas in South Africa. Fisher et al (2022) found that formal settlements recorded loss of incomes, decline in food availability, decline alcohol use and increase in depression.…”